The Sign of the Crown
A plot hatched in the shadows threatens the crown, and whoever hatched it still sits at the court's table. Those caught in it swear they knew nothing; one of them swears falsely. On the Chancellery's list stand Gavril the Farrier, Brother Anselm, Sava the Bell-Ringer, Nichifor the Spy and Abbot Corvus; one of these names covers a lie. As for the impulse behind it, the court whispers of everything: jealousy, greed, blackmail, the inheritance and revenge. A sharp eye is not enough here — it takes an archivist's patience: fit everything together, then pronounce your verdict.
Suspects
Arms like tree trunks and a forge where all noise dies. Some things are better beaten while hot.
1.88 m
right-handed
dark eyes
black hair
He has copied manuscripts for forty years. He knows what every one of them says - including the forbidden ones.
1.75 m
right-handed
brown eyes
greying hair
He has rung the cathedral bells on the hour for thirty years. He sees the whole city from above and forgives nothing he sees.
1.83 m
right-handed
brown eyes
greying hair
Officially, he does not exist. Unofficially, he was seen in three places at once - which is, of course, impossible.
1.74 m
left-handed
dark eyes
brown hair
He raises ravens in the abbey tower. His birds arrive faster than any messenger - and cannot be held to account.
1.78 m
right-handed
dark eyes
bald
Locations
the north wall
The stretch of wall the patrol skirts when the wind blows. Everyone knows that.
the cathedral crypt
The old kings sleep beneath crested slabs. Now and then, someone disturbs their rest.
the tourney field
Empty stands outside festival days. An excellent place for meetings that never happened.
the guild forge
Anvils, tongs, and a fire that never goes out. Many small metal things vanish here.
the customs cellar
Sealed crates, thick ledgers, and air that smells of undeclared goods.
Objects
the silver-clad icon
The silver casing is old craftsmanship; the nails that hold it were driven this week.
the rusted sword
An old weapon, forgotten on the rack. The rust on the blade is newer than it looks.
the map of the realm
The kingdom's borders, drawn with a fresh correction where there should be none.
the small wine cask
Arin wine, the good year. The bung was pulled and put back by an unskilled hand.
the hunting crossbow
Light, accurate, with a walnut stock. Exactly one bolt is missing from the quiver.
Motives
jealousy
Otrava care mistuie pe cel ce râvnește ce nu-i al lui.
greed
Dorința nesățioasă de avere, care nu se oprește la nimic.
blackmail
Un secret ținut ca funia la gât, strâns exact cât trebuie.
the inheritance
O avere așteptată, pe care numai o moarte o desparte de mână.
revenge
O datorie de sânge pe care numai fapta o mai șterge.
Moments
at dawn
When the citadel is barely waking and the guards still doze.
after matins
The hour after the morning service, when the abbey empties.
at noon
Midday, with bustle in the markets and silence in the alcoves.
at dusk
When the shadows lengthen and the lanterns are not yet lit.
at vespers
At the evening service, when the bells drown out any footstep.
Open the Grid (below) to solve the case, with the testimonies at hand.
Touch a cell: blank → ✗ (excluded) → ✓ (certain) → blank. Each pair of categories meets exactly once.
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Verdict
The culprit always lies; everyone else tells the truth.
- Even the jester says it in earnest: Sava the Bell-Ringer never set foot in the customs cellar.
- In the Chancellery's ledger it stands in black and white: Brother Anselm was at the north wall.
- An unsigned note, slipped under the door: "the culprit was in the place where the fire never goes out".
- Even the jester says it in earnest: the customs cellar and jealousy do not go together.
- In the gate ledger, Sava the Bell-Ringer stands higher, Abbot Corvus lower.
- Whatever the market gossips: the rusted sword and revenge do not go together.
- A maid whispered it at confession: the tallest suspect was there after matins.
- An honest-faced witness saw it plainly: Nichifor the Spy was driven by revenge.
- Even the jester says it in earnest: blackmail does not match that hour: at vespers.
- A maid whispered it at confession: the map of the realm matches that hour: at dawn.
- An honest-faced witness saw it plainly: Gavril the Farrier was driven by jealousy.
- A maid whispered it at confession: the bald suspect handled the silver-clad icon.
- Every scout reports the same about the culprit: the culprit handled the map of the realm.
- The chronicler notes drily: the hunting crossbow and greed go together, whatever the court may say.
- A maid whispered it at confession: the tourney field matches that hour: at dusk.
- The bell-ringer remembers well: Nichifor the Spy came earlier than Abbot Corvus.
- The tracks in the dust do not lie: the inheritance matches that hour: at dusk.